Jesse Franklin Wilson, 92, of Mayfield, Kentucky, passed away December 12, 2022, at 4:32 AM at the Anna Mae Owen Residential Hospice House in Murray, Kentucky. He was born December 10, 1930, in Akron, Ohio to Jesse M. and Bessie Funk Wilson. Jesse graduated from Akron South High School in December 1949 and attended University of Akron.
He started his career in mechanical engineering at the General Tire and Rubber Company in 1951 in Akron, Ohio.
Jesse and his parents spent their vacations at the family farm in Gravel Switch, Kentucky. During the Depression, they moved back to the farm for 10 years until his father was able to return to work at the Goodyear Rubber Company in Akron. During his many visits to Kentucky, he met his future wife, Edna Helen Lanham. They were married August 29, 1953. Jesse and Edna lived in Akron until 1960 when Jesse was asked to come to Mayfield to help build the new plant for General Tire and Rubber Company.
Jesse was a faithful member and deacon at Northside Baptist Church since 1960. He was a Sunday School and Training Union Teacher.
Jesse loved his family and was involved with his daughter, Claydean’s activities with the band and scouting. He and Edna instilled the value of volunteering in his daughter. He continued to volunteer with his grandchildren’s activities in school with the Calloway County Laker Band and with both Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts where he was affectionately known as Mr. Jesse.
Jesse was preceded in death by his parents and his wife. He is survived by his daughter, Margaret Claydean Wilson McCallon and husband, Phill Keith of Kirksey, Kentucky; his grandson, Jesse Keith McCallon and wife Katy Jean Cox McCallon of Oak Ridge, Tennessee and granddaughter, Erin Margaret McCallon of Mayfield, Kentucky. He was Uncle Pete to his niece, Mona Lisa Lanham Whitlock and husband Rex of Gravel Switch, Kentucky; nephews, Jerry Lee Lanham and wife Joyce of Gravel Switch, Kentucky; Neil Thornton Lanham and wife Jackie of Lebanon, Kentucky, Dan Roller and wife Adele Dickerson of Midway, Kentucky and Tom Roller and wife Judy Bickerstaff of Fort Myers, Florida. He is also survived by several great nieces and nephews, great-great nieces and nephews and cousins.
Visitation will be held December 17, 2022, from 11 am to 2 pm at the Byrn Funeral Home in Mayfield, Kentucky. Funeral will follow at 2 pm at the funeral home. Bro. Jerry Lanham, Bro. Monty Hodges, and Jamie Felts will perform service. Burial will be in Highland Cemetery in Mayfield with Pastor April Arnold officiating. Pallbearers will be Neil Lanham, Jerry Lanham, Dan Roller, Tom Roller, Galynn Wilson, and Denis Marrs.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Northside Baptist Church, 611 W. Lockridge, Mayfield, KY or the Anna Mae Owen Residential Hospice House, The Foundation at Murray-Calloway County Hospital, 803 Poplar St, Murray, KY 42071.